minnesota

Mark Snyder & Shea Peeples MN OEA & Minneapolis Public Library This article describes some of the government agencies that can help those of us seeking to improve our environment and what they have to offer. At the local level, each Minnesota county has an office that oversees solid waste …

Kathleen Weflen Editor-in-chief, Minnesota Conservation Sitting at a polished wood table, testifying before a legislative committee, the University of Minnesota Regents Professor was doing her best to explain the cascade of consequences likely to befall Minnesota’s environment and natural resources as the climate warms. Committee members stirred in their seats; …

Paul Gruchow Voices for the Land Minnesota. The name says it all: the land of sky blue waters. The place where prairies, forests, rivers, lakes, and valleys create a stunning tapestry on the land. A place where legend has a foothold in Paul Bunyan and Babe, the Blue Ox. Where …

Kate Rime & Ami Voeltz Blue Sky Guide and Do It Green! Minnesota Knowing what products or services are truly environmentally preferable isn’t always easy. In today’s retail sector, we encounter “green” everywhere! As a Minnesotan, you can feel confident that there are two great resources available to you to …

Green Tips

Here are some easy tips for Home Energy Savings: Leaky windows, doors and frames can let out the air you paid to heat or cool. Once a year, check the caulking around your windows, doors and joints to make sure everything is sealed tightly. Install weather stripping around any leaky …more…

Travelers can generate a lot of waste and pollution, even with the best intentions. But it isn’t hard to make a few changes that can help us avoid a lot of trash and otherwise green up our time away from home. It is our responsibility to take care of the …more…

Many people do not realize that rain carries pollutants from our houses, yards, streets, sidewalks and parking lots to the nearest storm drain, leading directly to local lakes, streams and rivers. Rain gardens are designed to have a center depression to help rainwater seep into the soil. This infiltration helps …more…

Your family can save 13,000 gallons of water per year with a low flush toilet, 2,900 gallons with a low flow shower head and 700 gallons with faucet aerators. Reducing temperature and usage of hot water will also save money and energy. Find more great water saving tips with our …more…

Is it possible for one of the fastest growing cities in Minnesota to be sustainable? The City of Woodbury has committed to try. Since adopting its initial Sustainability Resolution in 2006, the City has progressed toward becoming a sustainable community through several initiatives. You can read more about them in …more…

Minnesota’s forests are vital to the state economy and environment. The Minnesota wood products industry provides employment to rural communities and serves markets throughout the world. As global trade in forest products grows, forest certification has emerged as a mechanism for consumers to identify wood products produced from sustainably managed …more…

A programable thermostat can save $100 per year. Set it 2 degrees higher in summer and 2 degrees lower in winter for an additional money and energy savings. Check out the Home Energy Checklist for more great ideas!